Main menu

You are here

Sounding natural in English

Natural English in Englishour

First of all, what is idiomatic English and how does it differ from ‘normal’ English?
Idiomatic language is language which sounds completely natural and with a particular style. Also, idiomatic language often doesn’t translate directly from other languages. For this reason, learners of English often find idiomatic language more difficult as it doesn’t directly relate to their own language. For example, idiomatically you might say he kept me in the dark whereas normally it is he didn’t tell me. Normally you might say I said something embarrassingly stupid whereas idiomatically it is I put my foot in it.
Native speakers of English love using idiomatic English because it’s shorter and the images are often more powerful. For example, I have enough money to survive financially becomes I’m getting by.
In Englishour the secrets of idiomatic language are revealed making it easy for the learner to speak like a native speaker.
Why not test yourself now and see how much idiomatic English you already know? In the two columns below, try to match the phrases with their idiomatic counterparts:

Normal speak --- Idiomatic speak
He has a surprising skill/past--- He let the cat out of the bag
He got really angry--- He has a lot on his plate
He is extremely lazy--- He heard it straight from the horse’s mouth
He (accidentally) told the secret--- He hit the roof
He is really busy--- He’s a dark horse
He got it from source--- He is a couch potato

Idiomatic English is fun and is just one of the elements of language focused on in Englishour. In Englishour, students can expect to be taught all of the skills, speaking, writing, reading and listening in both a formal and informal context. Put simply, when searching for an English course in Dublin, Englishour is head and shoulders above the rest! :-)

'Lovely memories. And if anytime i go back to Dublin, no doubt I'll go back to Englishour.'

Nuria Montoro, Spain 2015

'I chose Englishour and I think I made a good choice, because the teachers are great, they are not focused only in teaching, they are funny and friendly, they are always ready to help even in extracurricular issues.'

Sarah Malta, Brazil 2015

'My school was in a good place, because it is in the centre of Dublin. The teacher was very friendly and knowledgeable. This experience was very good for me.'

Tommaso Toffolutti, Italy 2015

'All the teachers are fantastic and they use the best method to teach English to students'

Anastasia Nardecci, Italy 2014

'Just keep the teachers. They're awesome :)'

Nikita Metelev, Russia 2014

'The teachers are fantastic. And the director and the shool manager og the school are good people. I would like to have teachers like those in my city, but I know it's impossible. So.. Can I take you with me?'

Venesa Echevarria, Spain 2014

'I was every time happy about the teachers'

Roman Canals, Germany 1024

'The best teacher in the world!'

Maria del Rocio Benita Hortelano, Spain 2014

'I totally recommend Englishour. It was a great experience and I would come back! Thanks a lot!’

Maria Isabel, Spain 2014

'I spent a really good time in this school. I find Englishour is one of the best schools in Dublin for the teaching’

Mauro, Italy 2014

'The most important thing about Englishour is that you are sure to improve your English if you want to do it’

Angeles, Spain 2013

‘The classes were very dynamic and useful’

Matilde, France 2013

‘The lessons were always varied, never boring. Their method of teaching is very memorable’

Anette Wolff, Germany, 2012

‘The lessons were interesting and well-structured. Going to the school each morning was the best moment each day!’